Incorporating accessible design standards into your upcoming graduation ceremony not only helps those that need accommodations, it also makes your ceremony more accessible and enjoyable for all.
Here are a few ways you can make your next ceremony more accessible for everyone:
Choosing A Venue
When choosing a venue, make sure your facility is fully compliant with the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Consult ADA guidelines and work with the facility’s management team to identify areas where accommodations may need to be made for your graduates and their guests.
Accessible Parking
Follow ADA guidelines for accessible parking at your venue:
- Offer the appropriate ratio of accessible parking spaces
- Clearly post visible signs designating accessible parking spaces
- Have a clear, safe path from the parking area to graduate check-in, guest entry and restrooms
- Make sure those paths are clearly marked and signed
For more information on venue and parking requirements (as well as other helpful tips), download this checklist by Equip for Equality, an organization that works to advance the rights of people with disabilities in Illinois.
Graduate Stage Access
As you plan the flow of graduates into the facility, across the stage to collect their diplomas and back to their seats, consider what physical accommodations graduates may need. ADA compliant lifts and/or ramps, from the venue floor to the elevated stage, allow graduates to safely enter the stage, receive their diploma and then leave the stage. Ramps not only help those that need accommodations, but also make it easier for all graduates to reach the stage and reduce the risk of tripping on stairs.
